Season tickets rose by 4% for all train operators in the region

Season and saver tickets for Southern, Thameslink, and South Eastern Trains all rise by 4% from Sunday.

Campaigners say costs to commuters are being pushed up by rising car park fees but rail firms say passengers without cars should not subsidise car parks.

Rail Passengers Committee spokesman Tim Nicholson said: "Back door methods are being used to get round controls."

Mr Nicholson said some station car park charges in the South Eastern area had gone up as much as 40%, and there was one car park in Herne Bay where fees had risen by 84%.

Campaigners criticised car park fees in South Eastern areas

He added that London travel cards had risen by substantially more than inflation, which also affected Kent and Sussex commuters.

"Passengers are pleased to see new trains, and recent improvements to punctuality figures, but they should not face costs which are well above inflation for their door-to-door journey to work," he said.

A spokesman for South Eastern Trains said: "The 4% increase is an average for the network and the majority of people across Kent will face a 3% rise.

"Thirteen car parks had increases in November following substantial refurbishment and 70 others will go up this week.

"Nobody likes to see prices increase, but we need to ensure train passengers aren't subsidising the few that use station car parks."

Other fare increases (not season or saver tickets) South Eastern Trains 3% (routes from Kent into London) Southern 4-5% (rail services in the south London area, London to Brighton, and south coast) Thameslink 4.5% (the route from Bedford to Luton, London to Brighton via Gatwick Airport, and Surrey suburbs)

Season and saver tickets are determined by a fares regime introduced by the Strategic Rail Authority in June 2003.

Other fares rise by varying amounts, according to train operators.

They cover cheap day returns, long distance open and advance purchase fares.

Fares excluding season and saver tickets have increased by 3% for South Eastern Trains, 4-5% for Southern, and 4.5% for Thameslink.

George Muir, director general of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: "Fares have to rise to pay for the huge investment which the rail industry is currently making."